Lyricist Gerry Goffin Dies at Age 75
Celebrity

The former husband of Carole King who wrote more than 50 top 40 hits died on Thursday.

AceShowbiz - Gerry Goffin, who co-wrote hits "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", ''(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", ''Up on the Roof" and "The Loco-Motion" with his former wife Carole King, died on June 19 in his house in Los Angeles. He was 75. His wife Michele Goffin confirmed the sad news.

Carole stated that Gerry had a big influence in her life. She remembered the lyricist, "Gerry Goffin was my first love. He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world. Gerry was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come. His legacy to me is our two daughters, four grandchildren, and our songs that have touched millions and millions of people, as well as a lifelong friendship."

"He will be missed by his wonderful wife Michele, his devoted manager, Christine Russell, his five children, and six grandchildren," she continued, "His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say. If you want to join his loved ones in honoring him, look at the names of the songwriters under the titles of songs. Among the titles associated with me, you'll often find Gerry's name next to mine."

Gerry married Carole in 1959 when he was 20 and she was 17. Both of them became productive partners who wrote seven songs that peaked at No.1 on the charts and dozens of Top 40 hits, including The Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday", The Everly Brothers' "Crying in the Rain", Bobby Vee's "Take Good Care of My Baby" and James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend". Gerry and Carole's productive partnership brought them into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

The couple divorced in 1968. They have two children, singer-songriter Louise Goffin and Sherry Goffin Kondor. Musical "Beautiful: The Carole King Story" was inspired by their story. It was nominated for 7 Tony Awards this year and won 2, including Best Actress for the potrayal of Carole by Jessie Mueller.

After getting divorced, Gerry collaborated with other songwriters, including Barry Mann, Russ Titelman, Barry Goldberg and Michael Masser. He co-wrote several Top 10 hits, including George Benson and Glenn Medeiros' "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You", Gladys Knight and the Pips' "I've Got to Use My Imagination", Diana Ross' No. 1 hit "Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)", and Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You".

Gerry was one of the first people who discovered Kelly Clarkson's talent in 1995. He had also hired Kelly to sing some of his demos before her audition on "American Idol" in 2002.

Gerry is survived by his wife and five children.

Follow AceShowbiz.com @ Google News

You can share this post!

You might also like